Veteran crop forecaster, Brian Bailey, managing director of AWF P/L, said that on a macro level, he believed the rain would be a good thing, in spite of sodden areas through NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

“I’m not saying anyone would be thrilled with receiving two inches (50mm) over the weekend, they’d obviously prefer a fortnight of dry weather first, but overall, you’re better to have it than not,” Mr Bailey said.

He said the topography of many of the areas impacted by heavy rain would mean much of the water would drain off cropped paddocks.

“You look at areas in the north-east of Victoria and the combination of drainage and relatively advanced crops with good biomass means they should be right.”

Mr Bailey said there would be areas, particularly in NSW and Victoria that suffered yield losses from waterlogging, but pointed to the European example, saying that big yields were created by spring rain.

“No-one likes seeing their crops lying in water that’s not going anywhere, but in the forecasting game, the major rule we live by is ‘rain means grain’, and overall I think it is going to boost yields.

“You look at Europe, where they can get yields of nine tonnes to the hectare, and that high yield is mainly due to wet and cool springs.

“I’m not saying we could get those yields here, but European-style conditions will help yields.”

Mr Bailey said the timing of the wet was a key reason he did not believe there would be large-scale issues with the crop.

“If it was in the middle of winter, when days were short and crop plants were small, it would be an issue, and if it was later on in the season, once soil temperatures had warmed, it would also be a different matter, but at the moment, crops are fairly tolerant of wet conditions.

“It’s all about the amount of oxygen in the soil, and the cool conditions mean the plants aren’t trying to draw as much oxygen out.

“At this stage of the season, crops can handle having wet feet for up to a week.”

Even in areas where crops may be abandoned due to waterlogging, Mr Bailey said there were options.

“Through the Western District of Victoria they will be able to go in and plant a 90-day barley, while other areas may look at a summer crop such as safflower, which is able to access subsoil moisture.”